Denver Police: Some Guns Missing, Unaccounted For

DENVER (CBS4) – An inventory of Denver Police Department firearms shows that some 22 guns belonging to the department are unaccounted for and are now listed as “lost or stolen.” They range from shotguns to pistols.

According to a police report requested and provided to CBS4, DPD began an inventory of firearms in December of 2009. But during the inventory 22 weapons “were not located. Efforts to locate the described items are ongoing,” according to the police report, which was filed July 23.

Most of the missing guns are shotguns, according to the report, several 9mm semi- automatic pistols are listed as lost or stolen and one .44 magnum revolver, and one .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol are on the list of missing weapons.

Multiple police sources say many of the firearms were likely destroyed or disposed of years ago, but there is no paperwork to show that, so the weapons are now being listed as lost or stolen.

Two police sources say the lost/stolen weapons are now being listed on national law enforcement computers so if they are located they can be returned to DPD.
Additional Resources

Response Regarding Missing Firearms
The original report indicated 22 firearms missing. An ongoing effort to locate these weapons is underway. Subsequent to the reported inventory, 1 firearm was located thus, 21 firearms are reported missing. The missing weapons are not believed to be lost.

This inventory was initiated as the department transitions to a new range score tracking system and a centralized process of firearms inspection and tracking. A new system of total inventory control is in the process of being implemented and the department has presented an inventory needs assessments to the city technology services.

Antiquated records dating to the early 1980’s are a major factor in establishing a final disposition. Many of the recorded firearms are believed to be part of a department wide exchange for new shotguns or weapons used for firearm part replacement that were not recorded accurately.

An ongoing inspection of all Divisions, Districts, Bureaus, and Units is in place and will continue. As a result of the transition to the current inventory process, weapons will be physically inspected on an annual basis. The department will utilize annual inventory capabilities of the newly utilized system pending a long-term solution by city TSS.

These 21 firearms represent only a small fraction of the firearms used by the department. The fact that the inventory discrepancies were not discovered during prior annual inventories is a concern that is being addressed. The missing property continues to be investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau.